Here is a description and pics of a floating KH in Nicaragua. Notice how they had to come up with the funds themselves and where some of the donations came from?? Where was the WTS's helping hand? Oh that's right. Since there wasn't any LAND or PHYSICAL STRUCTURE on the land to own, I'm sure they weren't interested in helping fund this KH. Enjoy, I think...
Dear All
Hope you are all well. As usual it?s been a while since our last update.
Please forgive us but the time to type an email and go to the internet
caf?Yas been time we never seem able to find. But that?s because we are
so busy enjoying our assignment.
Our assignment has become a lot more interesting and to be honest a lot
more work now that we have finished central Americas first floating
Kingdom Hall. As most of you will know we had the need of a place to
meet within the Islands, yet with land so very hard to find and the
difficulties of the people living on islands it was decided that a
floating Kingdom Hall was the way to go.
Within a week this went from my scribbles on a notepad to a real project
as the first donations arrived. We purchased all the steel we needed and
decided to get started. As we have never built anything that floats or
attempted to weld before you can imagine our many concerns we enlisted
about 6 local brothers and sisters to help with the task at hand.
After the first few days we had the first section of the framework made
and then we really started to worry and we think even a few in the
branch felt the same as a few from the branch came to take a look and
share in the testing of the first section at the lake. You can imagine
our joys as it seemed to float very well. Although our worries returned
as we realized that we still needed two more sections, floor, roof,
veranda, seats and people we can honestly say we prayed earnestly every
night and literally one month later through blood ,sweat, and tears it
was time to launch we spent the day on, in and under the water putting
the hall together again.
The branch had been a great support and Bro Ken Brian of the branch
committee decided to visit for the weekend with his wife Sharon and give
the first two talks as this hall will be used in more than one place. In
total we had over 45 in attendance and we didn?t sink!!
The hall has really become quite famous in the islands everyone waves
as they see us towing the hall from one side of the islands to the next.
We were happily surprised with our first meeting attendance as we had
not preached or informed most of the people in the area that we would be
having the meeting and then when we arrived and started to anchor the
hall it started to rain incredibly hard like it does in a rain forest so
we were thinking that we would have a very low attendance and when the
three o clock time arrived and past and no one was there we were really
down but about 4 o clock people started to arrive we were amazed but
couldn?t be angry over their time keeping as they had walked more than
half an hour in the rain through the jungle, one carrying 3 children.
They were literally drenched when they arrived but all were over the
moon to finally have there own place to meet.
One thing that has been made clear and commented upon by all is that
for sure Jehovahs spirit is at work in this remote area. In such a
little time we have seen so many families who desire to study and a
memorial attendance of over 70. Several families have separated from
their prior religion, and made great sacrifices to visit the assembly
Starting from scribbles in a pad and 5 dollars now we have been able to
construct a floating Kingdom Hall. All of which could only of been
possible with the help of Jehovahs spirit and you loving brothers who
helped in many different ways. Please pass on and forward this email and
the loving thanks of not only ourselves but the 2 groups that have now
been formed in the islands of Nicaragua.
We have received emails and donations from Aruba to Iceland among which
there were many loving comments and experiences. One family from the
states told us how the children took the decision to go without Pizza
night and pocket money to help with the funding of the hall. Another
brave brother decided to take his guitar and vocal talents to the high
street in order to raise money, and we are sure that many others
sacrificed time effort and money too. Its certainly at times like this
we are reminded of what a privilege it is to be part of such a world
wide brotherhood.
As mentioned in the beginning please forgive us if our updates are not
too often but perhaps you will understand when we tell you that it has
literally taken 4 days to write this e-mail due to shortage of
electricity, rainstorms and various other things. Yet please be assured
that we appreciate your kind words and support every time we make it to
the internet caf?dWe are attempting to attach a few photos so that you
can see the floating kingdom hall. As soon as we find the time we will
upload more photos to the website. www.clubphoto.com and as always just
put in my email address which is 'removed'@hotmail.com.
We are currently looking for a truck in order to take our studies from
the islands to the special assembly day which falls at the end of the
month. As all have shown such an interest in being there.
We are awaiting and organizing for a couple who are arriving from
Canada who are going to work along with us in the more than 100 islands
we still haven?t preached so we are also looking for either building or
buying another small boat that they can then use on the other side of
the islands. So as you can tell there is plenty going on, so remember if
you feel like a change why not come and visit.
So that?s about all the news from this side apart from the various new
wild animals we have been given as donations but that can wait till the
next email.
So take care and keep in touch
All our love and best wishes
You friends
John & Heidi Sealey